Method and apparatus for gasifying and/or maintaining gasification in liquids

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a method and apparatus for gasifying and maintaining gasification of a liquid contained in a resealable container are provided herein. In some embodiments, a gas delivery system for gasifying a liquid is provided, including a storage vessel for storing a gas; a controllable release mechanism; and an output device for facilitating delivery of a gas from the storage vessel via the controllable release mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional Application Ser. No.60/757,974, entitled “Method and Apparatus For Gasifying and/orMaintaining Gasification in Liquids”, filed Jan. 11, 2006, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus forgasifying and maintaining gasification in liquids. More specifically,the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for carbonatingand re-carbonating beverages sold in conventional disposable and/orrecyclable containers.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known in the art that carbon dioxide gas may be injected intocertain liquids to create carbonated beverages. Some liquids such assoda, water, and beer are sold to the general public in a pre-carbonatedform. However, soon after the consumer opens the beverage container, thecarbon dioxide gas slowly escapes from the beverage, causing it tode-carbonate. This occurs even when the container is re-sealed betweenuses. Many devices which enable an ordinary consumer to carbonate orre-carbonate beverages currently exist on the market. Nevertheless, suchdevices carry several drawbacks such as a lack of portability and/orversatility and high maintenance costs.

Two examples of “portable” or “home-use” carbonation devices isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,986, issued Nov. 13, 1984 to Meyers andU.S. Pat. No. 4,976,894, issued Dec. 11, 1990 to Robinson. The devicesdescribed in each of these patents are portable tabletop carbonatedbeverage making apparatus. However, these devices are bulky and arerequired to stand on a table during operation due to the design andoperation of the device. Also, these devices require the user expend thehigh costs to purchase and maintain the device in accordance with theirintended use.

Therefore, a need exists for a device which can carbonate and maintaincarbonation in bottled beverages while remaining versatile andeconomical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus forgasifying and maintaining gasification of a liquid contained in aresealable container, such as a bottled beverage. In one embodiment, agas delivery system for gasifying a liquid comprises a storage vesselfor storing a gas, a handheld controllable release mechanism, and anoutput device for facilitating delivery of a gas from the storage vesselvia the controllable release mechanism.

In another embodiment, a liquid gasification system comprises acontainer at least partially filled with a liquid, a cap sealing an opensection of the container, and a gas delivery system comprising a storagevessel for storing a gas, a controllable release mechanism, and anoutput device for facilitating delivery of a gas from the storage vesselvia the controllable release mechanism, to an interior of the container.

In yet another embodiment, a kit for gasifying a liquid contained in aresealable container, comprises a cap for a container having an openingdisposed in a top surface thereof, a seal configured to fit with the capand rest against an inner top surface thereof, and a gas delivery systemcomprising a controllable release mechanism, and an output device forfacilitating delivery of a gas via the controllable release mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So the manner in which the above recited features of the presentinvention can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to theembodiments thereof, some of which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. It is to be noted, however, the appended drawings illustrateonly typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of a system in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A depicts a side view of one embodiment of a gas delivery systemof the present invention.

FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional side view of the gas delivery systemdepicted in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A depicts a top view of one embodiment of a cap and seal of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3B depicts a cross-sectional side view of the cap and seal depictedin FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A depicts a top view of another embodiment of a cap and seal ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4B depicts a cross-sectional side view of the cap and seal depictedin FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart of a method of operation of one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of one embodiment of a method of injectinggas into a container.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally provides for a method and apparatus forgasifying and/or maintaining the gasification of liquids stored inresealable containers. In one exemplary application, described in theembodiments depicted below, a method and apparatus is provided forcarbonating and/or maintaining carbonation of a liquid, such as abeverage, stored in a resealable container.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a gas delivery system 100 suitable fortransferring a gas, such as carbon dioxide, from a storage vessel 102 toa fluid in a container (not shown) that is to be gasified (e.g.,carbonized). The gas delivery system 100 generally includes three maincomponents: a storage vessel 102, a controlled release mechanism 104,and an output portion 106.

The storage vessel 102 employed with the gas delivery system 100 may beany pressure vessel suitable for storing compressed gas and maygenerally be any size and, for example, may range in size fromindustrial-sized storage tanks, to medium-sized household tanks,commonly referred to as “5 pound” tanks, to small handheld tanks, suchas those used with portable air-powered hand tools, paintball guns, andother similar applications. The size of the storage vessel 102 may bedependant upon the magnitude of the number of applications required bythe user. For example, to utilize the present invention in a commercialsetting, it may be more cost effective to employ a large,industrial-sized tank. However, most non-commercial household uses wouldonly require a medium-sized tank or a handheld tank, depending onfrequency of use, storage space available and/or economic practicality.

In some embodiments, the storage vessel 102 may include a gas source 126coupled to the controlled release mechanism 104 by a hose (not shown).The gas source 126 may include, for example, a large tank (not shown) ora gas pipeline (not shown). Any gas source 126 is contemplated byembodiments of the present invention. The storage vessel 102 may storeany gas useful for gasification of liquids. Exemplary gases include:carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, and the like.

The controlled release mechanism 104 generally comprises a triggerrelease 108 for controllably releasing a gas from the storage vessel126. The trigger release 108 generally includes a base 128, a triggercasing 110, and a trigger 112. The base 128 of the trigger release 108is generally hollow, or tubular, and is provided with a threaded portion124 that engages the storage vessel 102 to couple the trigger release108 thereto. This connection allows the trigger release 108 to remain inconstant contact with the storage vessel 102 with a minimal likelihoodof accidental separation. Some embodiments of the present invention mayincorporate alternative controlled release mechanisms 104, such as, forexample, controllable valves, clamps, or the like.

The output portion 106 of the gas delivery system 100 is coupled to thecontrolled release mechanism 104 to facilitate delivery of the releasedgas to the liquid to be gasified. The output portion 106 is a generallyhollow member having a first end for coupling to the controlled releasemechanism 104 and a second end that interfaces with a cap (describedwith respect to FIGS. 3A-4B) of the container having the liquid to begasified. The output portion 106 may be any length or configuration andmay include one or more rigid or flexible sections.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict one embodiment of a gas delivery system 100 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The storagevessel 102 typically includes a valve for selectively accessing theinterior of the storage vessel 102 (for example to let out thecompressed gas contained in the container or to fill/refill thecontainer with compressed gas from an external source of compressedgas.) In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the storage vessel102 is a handheld carbon dioxide tank 202. Such type of tanks generallyprovide a pin valve as the means to release the carbon dioxide gas fromthe tank. Other valves, such as ball valves or any other gas-storing orpressure valve, may be used depending on the tank employed in the gasdelivery system 100.

The controlled release mechanism 104 is coupled to the storage vessel102, for example, via the threaded exterior 206 of the storage vessel102, and interfaces with the valve (e.g., the valve 204) forcontrollably releasing the compressed gas through the valve 204. It iscontemplated that other mechanisms may be utilized for coupling thecontrolled release mechanism 104 to the storage vessel 102, such asclamps, straps, cams, levers, press fittings, and the like. It isfurther contemplated that the controlled release mechanism 104 may be anintegral part of the valve 204 of the storage vessel 102 (such as thehandle of a ball valve).

The trigger casing 110 has a hollow interior portion 212 and isrotatably coupled to the base 128. A valve release rod 210 extends intothe interior portion 212 of the trigger casing 110 and is configured toprotrude through the hollow base 128 and align with the valve 204 of thestorage vessel 102 when the trigger release 108 is attached thereto,such that the valve release rod 210 contacts, or nearly contacts, thevalve 204. The trigger 112 is coupled to the trigger casing 110 suchthat operation of the trigger 112 controls the degree of rotation of thetrigger casing 110 with respect to the base 128. In operation, thetrigger 112 is depressed to rotate the trigger casing 110, therebycausing the valve release rod 210 to further engage the valve 204 andrelease the compressed gas from the storage tank 102 into the hollowinterior portion 212 of the trigger casing 110. The amount of gasreleased is dependant upon the amount of force placed on the trigger112, the amount of time the valve 204 remains open, and the pressureinside the storage vessel 102.

The output portion 106 includes a hollow fitting 114 and a deliveryadapter 122. The hollow fitting 114 is disposed at a first end of theoutput portion 106. In one embodiment, the fitting 114 has a threadedportion at a first end that facilitates coupling with the trigger casing110. The fitting 114 further has a threaded portion at a second end tofacilitate coupling with the delivery adapter 122.

The delivery adapter 122 generally includes a threaded portion on afirst end to facilitate coupling with the fitting 114 and means forpenetrating a seal disposed on the container (discussed below withrespect to FIGS. 3A and 3B) and delivering the gas to the container,such as a hollow needle 118, disposed at a second end. The hollow needle118 has an open tip 120 configured to penetrate the seal disposed in thecap of the liquid container (as described below with respect to FIGS.2A-B and FIG. 3) and deliver the gas thereto.

The respective threaded portions and diameters of the fitting 114 andthe delivery adapter 122 may generally be any size so long as they fittogether and operate as described herein. One convenient size that maybe utilized is a ½ or ¼ inch flare, generally used by the brewingindustry as a standard for pressure connections. In one embodiment, thefitting 114 ends in a female National Pipe Thread (NPT). In oneembodiment, the fitting 114 is a ½ inch NPT fitting. In one embodiment,the delivery adapter 122 has a male NPT thread 214 on a first end thatmates with the female NPT thread on the fitting 21. Optionally, a threadsealant (not shown), such as a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape orpaste, or the like, may be utilized to assist in creating a leak-freeconnection. It is also contemplated that sealing methods other thanthreaded pipe fittings may be used to connect the two fittings 114 and122.

It is further contemplated that many other arrangements of the outputportion 106 may be devised in keeping with the scope of the presentinvention, including those having fewer or greater components thatcouple to the controlled release mechanism 104 and provide a needle 118or similar device for delivering the compressed gas to the liquidcontainer. For example, a flexible hose or conduit may be provided toextend the reach of the output portion with respect to the position ofthe storage vessel 102 and to add flexibility and ease of use to theoperation of the gas delivery system 100.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict one embodiment of a cap 300 and a seal 302 usedin connection with the gas delivery system 100 depicted in FIGS. 1, 2A,and 2B. The cap 300 is designed to replace a standard bottle cap, suchas those found on conventional plastic and/or glass bottles. In oneembodiment, the cap 300 has a generally cylindrical top 304 and acontinuous sidewall 308 extending from the perimeter of the top 304. Thesidewall 308 has a threaded inner surface 310 that mates with acorresponding threaded surface of the container onto which the cap 300is to be placed. A hole 306 is formed through the top 304. In oneembodiment, the hole 306 may be formed near or through a center of thetop 304, as indicated by axis A-A. While FIGS. 3A and 3B depict the hole306 passing through the center of the top 304, the hole 306 may passthrough any portion of the top 304. It is contemplated that the cap 300may take other forms suitable for capping containers having tops withvarying geometries. For example, the cap 300 may be a steel cap, such asare used to seal glass soda and beer bottles. Additional equipment, suchas a crimping tool, may be required to affix the steel cap to a glassbottle.

The seal 302 is formed so that it fits securely inside the cap 300against an inner surface 312 of the top 304 and such that a peripheraledge of the seal 300 will be compressed between the inner surface 312 ofthe top 304 and an upper edge of the container when the cap 300 issecured to the container in order to form a seal sufficient to withstandthe pressure within the container. The seal 302 is typically made ofsubstantially thin plastic or elastomeric material, however othermaterials may be used, such as rubbers, elastomers, coated paperboard,and the like. The material used may be approved by the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) for use in connection with food products. In oneembodiment, the seal 302 comprises nitrile, or Buna N.

The material of the seal 302 may have any thickness or hardness suitableto be placed between the cap 300 and the container to be sealed. In oneembodiment, the seal 302 comprises an FDA Nitril material having a Duro55 hardness. In one embodiment, the thickness of the seal 302 is betweenabout 1/32 inch to about ½ inch (about 0.8-2.4 mm). In one embodiment,the seal is about 1/16 of an inch thick (about 1.6 mm).

Optionally, the thickness of the seal may be non-uniform. As shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, depicting a cap and seal in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention, the seal may be thicker in acentral portion 404 of the seal and thinner along the periphery 402 ofthe seal. The thickness of the seal may vary depending on the desiredpressure in the container. In some embodiments, the seal 302 may have ahalf sphere or other rounded shape formed or disposed in the thickercentral portion 404 of the seal 302 to facilitate utilizing the pressurein the container to better seal the orifice once the needle is removed.Alternatively or in combination, the seal 302 may have a lip 406 thatcircumscribes the seal 302 and is configured to extend between the top304 of the cap 300 and the container to which the cap 300 is attached,thereby reducing the amount of deformation of the seal when tighteningthe cap 300 to the container.

The seal 302 acts as a one-way valve when a small puncture is madetherethrough. In operation, when the seal 302 is penetrated by a device(not shown) such as the needle 118 described above with respect to FIGS.2A and 2B, the seal 302 may tear slightly to form a flap (not shown)that facilitates forming a one-way valve that prevents fluid flow fromthe container through the seal due to the pressure exerted against theflap by the contents of the container. The seal 302 may further haveelastic properties or hardness characteristics that facilitate closingup the puncture hole once the needle 118 is removed. It is furthercontemplated that the seal 302 may be fabricated with a slit or openingpre-formed therein. The opening is biased towards a closed position thatprevents the pressurized contents of the container from escaping. Theopening may be penetrated by a device (e.g., the needle 118) to deliverthe pressurized gas to the container.

Although described with respect to conventional bottles or containers,it is contemplated that the above described cap and seal may be modifiedto be utilized in combination with other containers. For example,instead of replacing the cap on a conventional bottle, a seal, cap, andcontainer combination may be designed and used to store and gasify aliquid. In addition, caps and seals may be configured to fit overconventionally non-resealable containers such as beer bottles, champagnebottles, and the like.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a method 500 of gasifying a liquidusing the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-4B. At step 502, the cap 300 andseal 302 are attached securely to a container having liquid to begasified. The cap 300 should be affixed firmly onto the container,however the cap 300 should not be not over-tightened. Over-tightening ofthe cap 300 may cause the seal 302 to pull away from the inner surface312 of the cap 300, potentially allowing the pressurized contents of thecontainer to leak. If over-tightening occurs, the cap 300 may beremoved, the seal 302 adjusted to its proper location, and the cap 300retightened.

At step 504, the needle 118 is inserted into the container through theseal 302 and the cap 300. The needle 118 may be used to form a holethrough the seal 302 via the hole 306 in the top 304 of the cap 300. Ifthe seal 302 has not been used before, or the seal 302 is notpre-punctured, the force required to puncture the seal 302 may besubstantially more than one might expect. Due to the thickness of theseal 302, it may be beneficial to pre-puncture the seal 302, so that aneedle may penetrate into a container during use. If the seal 302 ispre-punctured and/or has been used in a previous application, the needle118 may be inserted in the same location as the original puncture.

At step 506, the gas is injected into the container to gasify the liquidcontents of the container. If the gas delivery system 100 provides aregulator (not shown) for adjusting the pressure of the released gas,the regulator may be adjusted to appropriate levels depending on thefluid being gasified (e.g., carbonated) and the level of gasification(e.g., carbonation) desired. For example, for most beverages, a stillfluid being initially carbonated reacts well to a regulator set toapproximately 25 psi, whereas a previously carbonated fluid beingre-carbonated reacts well to a lower set point, such as approximately 5psi. Typically, small handheld carbon dioxide delivery systems do nothave regulators, in which case no adjustments are necessary. After thegas is injected into the container at step 506, the method 500 ends.

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a method 600 of injecting gas into acontainer, suitable for use in conjunction with the method 500 describedwith respect to FIG. 5. The method 600 begins at step 602, where a gasis injected into the container using short, controlled bursts. The gas(e.g., carbon dioxide) is typically injected in short bursts into thecontainer until the container becomes firm to the touch. The amount ofgas injected into the container is dependant on many factors and mayvary from application to application.

As such, at step 604, the pressure of the container is checked. Thepressure of the container may be checked by hand, for example by feelingif the container is firm to the touch. However, a pressure gauge may beutilized to measure the pressure of the container to ensure that it isproperly gasified. Generally, for carbonated beverages, 5-10 psi hasbeen found to be sufficient for temporary storage or transport ofpreviously carbonated beverages, and 20-30 psi has been found to besuitable for carbonating previously non-carbonated beverages. However,it is contemplated that other pressure levels may be utilized as well.If properly used, the present invention may safely gasify bottledbeverages up to about 45 psi.

At step 606, a decision is made whether the process is done, i.e.,whether the pressure in the container is sufficient based upon theguidelines detailed above. If the process is done, the method ends atstep 608. If the process is not done, the method returns to step 602 toinject another quick burst of gas into the container. When carbonating apreviously non-carbonated beverage, the process of injecting carbondioxide may be repeated several times over a 48 hour period. Typically,repeating the injection process once every 12 hours for 48 hours willensure proper carbonation.

Since certain changes may be made in the above described inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention hereininvolved, it is intended that all of the subject matter of the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedmerely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shallnot be construed as limiting the invention.

1. A gas delivery system for gasifying a liquid comprising: a storagevessel for storing a gas; a handheld controllable release mechanismcoupled to the storage vessel; and an output device for facilitatingdelivery of a gas from the storage vessel via the controllable releasemechanism.
 2. The gas delivery system of claim 1, wherein the gasdelivery system is portable.
 3. The gas delivery system of claim 1,wherein the storage vessel comprises at least one of a handheld tank, anindustrial storage tank, or a gas pipeline.
 4. The gas delivery systemof claim 1, wherein the gas comprises at least carbon dioxide.
 5. Thegas delivery system of claim 1, wherein the storage vessel furthercomprises a hose coupled to a gas supply.
 6. The gas delivery system ofclaim 1, wherein the output device comprises at least a needle having anopen end for delivering gas to an exterior environment.
 7. A liquidgasification system comprising: a container at least partially filledwith a liquid; a cap sealing an open section of the container; and a gasdelivery system comprising: a storage vessel for storing a gas; acontrollable release mechanism; and an output device for facilitatingdelivery of a gas from the storage vessel via the controllable releasemechanism, to an interior of the container.
 8. The liquid gasificationsystem of claim 7, wherein the cap further comprises a seal providedagainst an inner top surface of the cap.
 9. The liquid gasificationsystem of claim 8, wherein the seal comprises at least a materialapproved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use inconnection with food products.
 10. The liquid gasification system ofclaim 8, wherein the seal has a thickness between about 1/32 inch toabout ½ inch.
 11. The liquid gasification system of claim 8, wherein acentral region of the seal is thicker than a peripheral region of theseal.
 12. The liquid gasification system of claim 8, wherein the sealfurther comprises a lip circumscribing the seal and configured to extendbetween the top of the cap and the container when the cap is attachedthereto.
 13. The liquid gasification system of claim 7, wherein the capfurther comprises an access hole though a top surface of the cap. 14.The liquid gasification system of claim 7, wherein the output devicecomprises a needle having an open end for delivering gas to thecontainer.
 15. A kit for gasifying a liquid contained in a resealablecontainer, comprising: a cap for a container having an opening disposedin a top surface thereof; a seal configured to fit with the cap and restagainst an inner top surface thereof; and a gas delivery systemcomprising: a controllable release mechanism; and an output device forfacilitating delivery of a gas via the controllable release mechanism.16. The kit of claim 15, further comprising a gas storage vessel. 17.The kit of claim 15, wherein the controllable release mechanism is atrigger device.
 18. The kit of claim 15, wherein the output devicecomprises a needle having an open end for delivering gas to an exteriorenvironment.
 19. The kit of claim 15, further comprising a plurality ofcaps and a plurality of seals.
 20. The kit of claim 15, wherein the sealhas a central portion that is thicker than a peripheral portion of theseal.